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NeoNotes — Conservatives and big government

❝❝Inevitably both conservatism and progressivism increase the size of government for some "common good" that not everyone agrees with.

A bigger government means higher taxes, more laws, increased regulations and (wait for it) less freedom. All for your own good of course.

I think the problem is not progressive or conservative. I think that acting that way makes government larger.

The real problem is government.

Actually they do.

Military spending, law enforcement, the war on drugs, emergency aid to other nations are just a few things that come to mind.

Military spending - what is it now, seven times the next three biggest military budgets combined?

Of course the war on drugs is a federal issue. It's also responsible for the rise in civil forfeiture and revoking posse comitatus. Both required Federal legislation signed by Republican presidents. It was also a Republican president who issued the first executive orders to sell military surplus to law enforcement.

Where does the Constitution grant either the President or Congress the power of foreign aid? Yet that has been a cornerstone of foreign policy since at least WWII. As have the permanent military bases abroad, also not authorized by the Constitution.

Conservatives have done these things and more.

But neither conservatism nor progressivism are the problem. It's government.

You can always find a reason to spend someone else's money. Especially in a good cause.

OK, military spending and foreign governments.

To "contain" our "enemies," we give foreign aid including military aid to despicable people who can't be trusted. This year they're our ally, next year they're our enemy.

We are hypocritical. American didn't stand for it with the Cuban missiles, yet we expect other nations to stand for it in the name of freedom and democracy.

Meanwhile spending goes up and the military grows. The American reputation for honor and doing the right thing is swept away in rousing music and TV spectacle.

And the arms dealers and military contractors are making a profit.

The Federal government also profits from the drug war. Before terrorism, it was the reason for throwing away the Bill of Rights. It was the reason for mandatory minimum sentences. It's the reason for militarizing our police AND putting Federal monitoring in those police forces.

And of course if property can be "associated" with the illegal drug trade, it can be seized and sold under Federal law and most of the profits sent back to the local police jurisdiction. This happens regardless if the owner is found guilty or even charged.

This can't be fixed by electing the "right" man (person) at the "right" time. You won't find one. He doesn't exist. Even if he did, it would start again when he left office.

This is fundamental abuse of law and the destruction of freedom.

Conservatives and progressives have enabled this situation by pursing their pet causes "for the common good."

The only answer is limiting government and what government does.

You know, like the Constitution set out to do.

You know, the only thing the American government hasn't tried in the last century or so.

Show me a conservative since 1950 who has succeeded in reducing the size of government, reducing the number of regulations, or reducing spending and I will concede the point.

Reagan?

Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 and asset forfeiture.

Expanding the drug war.

Military Cooperation with Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies Act of 1981.

He may have succeeded reducing the number of regulations, but I think he reduced freedom.

Or as I like to put it:

"Inflict government on someone today and don't be surprised if someone inflicts it on you tomorrow."❞❞

NeoNotes are the selected comments that I made on other boards, in email, or in response to articles where I could not respond directly.